Former and current cricketers have showered praise on Rafael Nadal after the Spaniard won the men’s singles title at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Sunday.
Nadal defeated Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in a five-set thriller to clinch the historic 21st men’s singles Grand Slam, surpassing Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the process.
The marathon duel haꩵd everyone on the edge of their seats, with Nadal winning 2-6, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5.
Soon after Nadal’s record-breaking win, wishes poured in on Twitter congratulating the World no 6. Proteas legend AB de Villers to batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, all hailed Nadal’s tenacity in his fighting win.
Here are a few reactions:
Rafa always shows us what Sport is all abo🍨ut. Respect for his opponent꧂ and the game, incredible fight till the end, and humility irrespective of his achievements. Legend
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17)
That is ab🧸solutely magnificent. Stunning to say the least.
From 2 sets down to come ba🥀ck and win your 21st Grand Slam is inc💯redible.
Congratulations !
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt)
Rafael – Fire 🔥hai Fire .
What an incredible comeback, what a champion— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
What a match and what a man 👏
It looked like a straight set blowout the way Medv🉐edev was playing.
But champions never give up ‼️
One of his best comebacks ever
Congrats 🏆
— DK (@DineshKarthik)
Coꦅngratulations raꦏfa !! you never gave up . This is what legends are made of !! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12)
It isn't over until it's over.
From 2🦹 sets down, to comeback and win in Grand style i🦂s a monumental effort. Congratulations on a record 21st Grand Slam and for winning the in great fashion.— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
🐭Such Tenacity as usual from the great man Rafa!👏👏
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99)
Resilience, Committment, Courage and Ageless. You defined and scripted it all at Melbourne Park this morning. You are a warrior and a half. 21 you bisඣcuit. Go well champ.
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc)
I tell you that lefth🐭anders🌞 ki baat hi kuch aur hai�� you are GOAT.
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh)
//twitter.com/Hanu♈mavihari/status/1487791556853522435
More than the feat of 21st Grand slam which is the mos🏅t by anyone in men’s history , this is truly a stunning comeback by in this match who is a superman!
— parthiv patel (@parthiv9)
RAFAEL NADAL!
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar)